System for making ice.



A. E.BBAL4S. SYSTEM Pon MAKING 10E. urmbmlon FILED un. ze. '1910.

,Pat-,emma Jau 31, 1911.

i annu-sniff 1.

Fig. 1 f

i i SMQ/wm A L ALBERTEBEALS SYSTEM FOR MAKING ICE.

UNITED STATEASpIVENT OFFICE.

ALBERT E. BEALS, F DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Urginal application tiled ovember 23,1908, Serial No. 463,985. Divided and this application filed Merch To all whom it may concern:

lie. it known that l, Anonirr E. BEALS, a citizen of the United States of An'ierica, residing at Detroit, in the county ot rayne and State of Michi ran, have invent-ed certain new and usefu Improvements in Sys tems for Making Ice, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accoinpanyimr drawings.

This invention rdlates to apparatus for manufacturing ice in casts or molds by means of mechanical refrigeration and more ,particularly to an arrangement. thereof whereby water in its natural or raw state is made into -ice which is clear of air particles and of other impurities which are always held in solution and are in suspension in undistilled or unfiltered Water.

The invention forms one means for carrying out the process described in my aipplication Serial No. 463,985, tiled Nov. 23,

k1908, for a process of making ice of which this is a divisional application.

' The invention consists in the matters hereinafter set forth, and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims. l

.Referring to the drawings, Figure l 1s a plan view of a part of the freezing tank or door of a refrigerating system adapted to carry out the process comprising the invention; Fig. 2 is a view in section thereof, on line www of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a View in vertical section of one of the cans of'the system, showing adjacent connections; Fig. 4 is a vieu7 in detail of an automatic regulating valve; and Figl 5 is a view in detail of an air pipe connection and discharge nipple.

Refer-rin r to the drawings, 1 indicates the coils of reirigerating pipcin the brine or freezing tanlc'of a refrigerating plant-d1s posed in the usual manner beneath Vgirders or.

floor beams 2 atsueli intervals that inns 3 of proper proportions maybe placed between them, removable cover blocks et, one .over each can, forming the. floor as in the usual conventional arrangement of a plant of this nature.

The can itself is of metal, rectangular in section and is slightly,T tapered as shown. A nipple or boss G 'is secured centrally in the bottom of the can in screwthroaded engagement'with an outer cap 7 having a lateral inlet S into "a central chai'nbcr 9 whose base lies at an interval beloiy the level of the inlet. A short tube 10 in an aperture of the Serial No. 551,644.

boss G extends just below the level of the air inlet 8 and there is an air vent 11 placed substantially in the center ofthe can through the boss at one side of the tube. An air pipe 12 having a lower horizontal arin 13 screw-threaded into the inlet 8 of the cap, extends across the bottom and up the side of the can to which it is secured by any convenient means. The casing 111 of an automatic regulating valve is secured at its out let. end to a fitting 15 removably supported in the upper end of the pipe 12. The inlet ofthe valve is connected by any preferred means, as for example, a short length of flexible tubing 1G, with one of a series of trunk lines 17 of piping laid on the sills 2, underneath the covers as shown in any preferred and conventional manner. The trunk lines are Supplied with air under pressure from any suitable compressor or like available means. The can ioats in the brine or freezing mixture in t-he tank, usually being held immersedl to the proper depth lby a removable cross-bar 18 engaging slotsv in spreader blocks -19 .between the sills.

The casing 14 ofthe valve has an apertured seat 20 provided with a. movable closure 21 Whose upper face is of greater area than the lower face.I A spring 9.2 between the closure and a regulating screw 23 in the bot-tuin of the casing tends to force the closure away from the seat 20 but is resisted by the inlet air pressure on top. The closure has reciprocable motion on the lower end of'a stein 2t that is defined or limited by suitable stops 30. The stein is screwthreaded through or otherwise longitudinally adjustable in a bonnet 25 on. the casing and provided with a hand Wheel 31 whereby the valve may be positively closed, or opened and Where-by the flow of air through the valve may be regulated to produce the required agitation in the Water. The intake end of the casing which is se cured to the hose 16 admits air above the seat and closure and the outlet end connected to the fitting 15 or like connection opens from below the seat and closure.

A horizontal plate 2G somewhat smaller than the up er end of the can is detaehably secured in t e upper end thereof by suitable brackets 27 or the like. The. plate is centrally apertured and is-preferably pro vided with an upright flange 28 around the opening. An overflow basin or trap 29 is supported on the flange at an interval above the plate. Or the plate may be simply a block of wood or like non-conducting material, with a'central aperture. In such construction, the freezing quickly seals the intervals between the edges of the blocks and the can sides.

In operation, the can "1 filled to the required depth with raw Water and immersed in the tank. Air is immediately introduced to the nipple through the automatic ,valve and pipe and injected into the bottom of the body of water, thus setting up and maintaining a continuous movement of the Water against the face of the forming ice. As the air enters the chamber 9 of the cap, the pressure therein must equal the sum of the pressure due to the static head of water above the jet plus'that due to the' velocity head of the air flowing through the jet which forces the Water out of the chamber down to the mouth of the tube 10 thus freeing the air passages of all Water which would otherwise freeze up and stop the flow. Ice forming in the bottom of the vchamber permanently' seals the piping 10 andthe air continues to 'flow through the jet 11. As the ice thickens on the bottom 'of the can it increases the pressure against which the air must escape and this increased hack pressure in conjunction with the action of the spring opens the valve to a roportionate extent and thereby maintains the required flow of air. A constant .agitation of the water inthe center of the can byl the ascending bubbles of air prevents the lodgment of air` and impurities upon the surface of the forming ice and produces a clear and transparent block. At the same time the expansion due to formation of ice forces the aforementioned extra amount of water up through the top plate or block into the trap or lnto the space above the block and the impurities which otherwise would collect and be deposited in the center of the block are vcarried up over the upper edge of the ange into the trap where they settle, or into the space where they are re tained. AAs the trap is insulated in a measure by the air space around its margin and also between it and the cover plate, the Water in the trap does not freeze and consequently all impurities are held there and thus removed automatically from the block of ice up to the completion of the freezing prmzess. It' the insulating block be used the same result is obtained, the impurities settling above the block. By thus forcing a volume of air at a pressure which automatically increases in direct proportion to the resistance encountered in the freezing block, and thereby maintaining a continuous movement of the water until the final stop of the freezing process, all tlz'e air and other impurities in solution and in suspension are removed from the block and commerciallyT pure and clear ice is obtained.

Obviously changes in the details of construction may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and I. do not care to limit myself to any particular form or arrangement of parts.

What I claim as my invention is 1. A lfreezing can having a cover provided with means for suspending the same within the mouth of a can, a short upright tube secured in the center of the cover, and a receptacle around the mouth of the tube above the cover constituting in connection with the tube a trap.

2. In a system for making ice a freezing tank, a series of cans adapted to be immersed therein, means for forcing compressed air upwardl through each can, and means for automatlcally varying the pressure ofi air admitted to each can in proportion to the resistance of the congealing contents.

'3. In a system for making ice, a freezing tank, a series of cans adapted to be immersed therein, means or maintaining a body of water in liquid state in each can in communication with the contents thereof, and means for maintaining a current in the contents of each can across the formed ice into thel auxiliary body of water until said contents is completely frozen.

4, In a system for makin ice, a freezin tank, a series of cans adapte to be immerse therein, means for maintaining a body of waterl in liquid state in each can above alnd in communication with the contents thereof, meansfor maintaining an upward current of air in the contents of each can into the upper'body of water, and means for preventing the return into the can of matter in suspension carried into said body of' Water.

5. In a system o f making ice, a freezing tank, a series of cans immersed therein each provided with an air inlet in thebase, compressed Vair trunk pipes, and detachabl connected means between. the air inlet o each can to an adjacent trunk pipe for automatically admitting air to the can under pressure pro ortionat-e to the resistance to the air affor( ed by the resistance of the congealing contents thereof.

6, In a system for making ice, a freezing tank, a series of cans immersed therein, an air pipe 0n each can dischargingl upwardlyn through the can base, compresse( air trunk distributing pipes, and means thereon connecting the air pipeof each can w ith a trunk pipe for automatically maintaining air pressure in the can pipe in proportion to the resistance of the air afforded by the contents of the can as it is gradually congealed.

7. In a system for making ice, a: freezing tank, a series of cans immersed thereln, an air pipe on each can disclmrging upwardly through the base thereof, compressed an' cohgealed, and forming trunk pipes, and an automatic valve and connection detachably coupli-n each can pipe with a trunk pipe, for admltting air to the can under a pressure proportionate to the resistance to the air afforded by the con tents of the can as it is gradually congealed;

8. .In a systemfor -making ice, a freezing tank, a series of cans immersed therein, an air pipe on each can discharging-upwardly through the base thereof, compressed air trunk pipes, and an automatic valve and connection detachably coupling each can pipe with a trunk pipe, the valve for admitting air to the can under a pressure proper tionate to the resistance to the air afforded by the contents of thevcan as it is gradually a shutoff cock adapted to be closed manually.

9. In a system for making ice,ia freezing tank, a series of cans immersed therein, an air pipe on cach can discharging upwardly through the base thereof, compressed air trunk distributing pipes,- connecting means thereon detachably engaging the air pipeof an adjacent can and automatica-lily maintaining air pressure in the can pipe in pro- `portion to the resistance to the air afforded the contents of the can as it is gradually congealed and means for maintaining a body of Water in liquid state above and in communication with the contents of cach can until the latter is completely frozen.

10. In a system for making ice, a freezinv tank, a serieswof cans adapted to be immersed therein. an air pipe on each can discharging upwardly through the base thereof, compressed air trunk distributing pipes, connectin means thereon each adapted to-detachaby engage the air pipe of an adjacent can for automatically maintaining air pressure in the can pipe in proportion to the resistance to the air afforded by the contents 'of the can as it is gradually congealed, means for maintaining a body of water in liquid state above and in communication with the` contents of each can until the latter is completely frozen, and means for trapping against return into the vessel matter in suspension carried into the upper body.

11. In a. system for making ice, a freezing tank, a series of cans adapted to be immersed therein, a cover for each can provided with a trap adapted to maint-ain a body of water above and in communication with the contents of the can until the latter is completely congealed, and means for maintaining an upward current in the nncongealed port-ion of the contents of the-can into the upper body of water. v 1- 12. In a system for n'iaking ice, a freezing tank, a series of cans adapted to be im- Amerscd therein, a cover for each can provided pletely congealed, and means for maintaining an upward current of air through the congealed portion of the contents of the can into the upper body of water.

In a system for making ice, a freezing tank, a series of cans adapted to be immersed therein, a cover for each can consisting of a plate adapted to be secured at the surface of the can contents and provided with a central aperture having an upwardly extending flange, a trap basin encircling the flange above the plate, and means for maintaining an upward current in the uncongealed portion of ,contents of the can into the upper body of Water.

14. In a system for making ice, a freezing tank, a series of cans ada ted to be irnmcrsed therein, a cover for 'eac 1 can provided with'a. t-rap adapted to maintain a body of water above and in communication with the contents of the can until the latter is coinpletely congealed, an air inlet -in the can base beneath the cover plate aperture, an aix,` pipe extending therefrom, compressed air trunk pipes on the tank, and an antomatic air valve on the trunk pipe adjacent to each can ada ted to be detachably coupled to the can pipe, the valve so constructed as to admit air tothe can at a pressure proportionateto the resistance afforded by the congealing contents of the can.

15. In a system for making ice, a freezing tank adapted to be filled with a refrigerating liquid, a series of cans adapted to float therein with their open tops above the level -of the tank liquid, a cover plate for each can removably supported therein, a flange extending upwardly around a central opening in the plate, a trap basin encircling the flange at an interval above the plate and below the upper margin of the flange, and means for forcing air 'continuously upward through the can the trap.

16. In a system for making ice, al freezing tank ada ted to be filled with a refrilfy'erating liquit a can adapted to float therein with its open top above the level of the tank liquid, a centrally apcrtured cover plate smaller than the azar. removably suspended therein at substantially -the level of the can contents, an upwardly extending flange around the plate opening, a trap basin encircling the flange above the plate and below the upper margin of the flange, and 1ncans-for forcing air from the bottom of the-.can upwardly through the contents of the can and the plate opening, the plate being disposed so that icc forming on the can walls seals the opening between the cover plate and surrounding can sides and forces the water up through the cover into the trap basin.

17. ln,al system tor making ice, a freezing tank, com pressed air trunk pipes therein,

from the base thereof into.

cans adapted to be immersed in the tank oontei'its, each provided with an air pipe discharging upwardly through the can contents, and an automatic air valve secured to a trunk pipe foreach can consisting of a casing having an apertured valve seat mediate its ends, a conical closure reciprocable thereon with its larger face toward the ca.s ing inlet, a regulatinfr screw in the casing opposite the smaller tface of the closure, a spring in compression between the closure and regulating screw and a longitudinall57 adjustable stern in the casing in substantially axial alinement with the seat opposite the larger vface of the closure, the closure having limited play longitudinally on the extremity of the stem, and the casing being adapted at its outlet end to detachably engage the can air pipe.

'18. In a s'stem for making ice, a block can, a centra boss in the can bottom having an air vent therethrough, a chambered cap on the lower side of thel bottom connected to the boss, an air tube through the boss extending downwardly i'nto the chamber of the cap, a lateral opening into the cap above the lower end of the tube, an air pipe extending from said lateral opening along the bottom and'side to the upper part of the can, and an automatic valve for the pipe consisting 'of a casing having an apertured valve seat mediate its ends, ay conical closure reciproeable thereon with its larger face toward the casing inlet, a regulating 'screw in the oasi ing in anial alinenient with the v alve sea-t opposite the smaller face of the closure, a spring in compression between the closure and regulating screw, and a longitudinally adjustable stem in the easing in axial alinement with the seat opposite t-he larger face of the closure, the Closure having limited play longitudinally on the extremity of the stein and the easing being adapted at its outlet to detaehably engage the can air pipe.

1.9. In a system for making ice, a freezing tank adapted to be filled with arefrigerating liquid, a series of cans adapted to float therein with their open tops above the level of the tank liquid, a cover plate for' each can removably supported therein, and provided with an opening, and means for forcing air continuously upward through the can from the hase thereof through the cover opening.

In testimony' whereof I aliX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

1 ALBERT E. BEALS.

Witnesses.

C. R. STICKNE'Y, Omo F. BARTHEL. 

